Would You Date A Robot? 1 in 4 Say 'Yes'!

In a recent survey in the UK, one in four young people agreed that they would date a robot. Would you? Try looking at the idealized view in the first video from the 2015 movie Ex Machina, but then check out the more realistic actual robot in the second (linked).

(Ex Machina idealized female robot)

It may be the stuff of science fiction films like Ex Machina and Her, but new research has found that one in four young people in the UK would happily date a robot.

The only caveats, according to the survey of 18- to 34-year-olds, is that their android beau must by a "perfect match", and must look like a real-life human being.

The proportion of young people who are willing to go on a date with a robot is significantly higher than the overall proportion of British adults - only 17% of whom were willing.

"Our bodies, our identities and our senses are enhancing thanks to technology and societal shifts," said Ghislaine Boddington, co-founder and creative director of East London design unit body>data>space .

In the story, roboticist Dr. Alvin Peabody, who describes himself as "scrawny and fluffy-headed," seeks a date with another researcher in the field, Muriel Winthrop. Embarrassed by his unprepossessing appearance, he sends a dashing robotic android in his stead. As it turns out, the other researcher has done the same thing! They decide to meet IRL - in real life - and love takes its course.

Another example would be the 1954 story The Mechanical Bride by Fritz Lieber - read about the mechanical bride.